Smoking pipe cleansing device



Nov. 3, 1964 F. MARLAND 3,155,100

SMOKING PIPE CLEANSING DEVICE Filed March 26, 1962 I NVENTOR.

fiedric Marla/1d United States Patent Ofi ice 3,l55,lili) Patented Nov. 3, 1964 3,155,100 SMOKHNG PEPE CLEANSHJQ DEVICE Fredric Marland, 8 Riverside Ave, Norwalk, Conn. Filed Mar. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 182,536 3 Claims. (Cl. 131--244) This invention relates to cleansing means for smoking pipes, and more particularly to a small steam-generating device which is adapted to be attached to the pipe stem and adapted to be heated over a burner, for variously forcing steam, hot water and air through the pipe to cleanse the same.

Pipe cleaning means of the above general type have already been proposed in the past. One such device comprises a small glass globe which constitutes a boiler and which has an integral straight glass stern extending tangentially from the globe, there being a short rubber tube attached to the stem to constitute a coupling for connecting the stem to the bit of the smokers pipe. When the globe ,is partially filled with water and heated to effect boiling, the resultant steam with hot water is forced through the glass stem, through the rubber tube and the pipe stem and bowl, for the purpose of dissolving and removing the nicotine, gums and tar. Upon removal of the globe or boiler from the heat, the resultant condensation therein eifects a vacuum which causes the nicotine, dissolved gum, water and air in the pipe to be forcibly sucked in a reverse direction into the globe.

While this action removes much of the undesired matter from the smoking pipe, it has a drawback in that the steam is accompanied by much water, which tends to fill and wet the entire pipe bowl and splutter out onto the hand which is holding the pipe.

The present invention provides an improved pipe cleansing device of the general type described above, which largely obviates the above disadvantages and further is more efiicient and thorough in the removal of the nicotine, tars, etc. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a small, improved steam-boiler type cleansing device which is especially or highly effective in its cleansing action, minimizes the depositing of water in the pipe bowl, and controls the steam to a certain extent.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved steam-boiler type cleansing device as above set forth, wherein a more effective retention of the boiling water in the boiler globe is had, thereby conserving the supply and reducing greatly the amount transferred to the pipe bowl.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved celansing device as characterized, wherein there is had an increased sucking action which is suddenly applied or made effective, thereby to enhance the cleansing action.

The above is accomplished, in accordance with the invention, by the provision of a novel heated water retention or trap organization which further has a discriminator action, said organization being incorporated in the glass stem of the boiler closely adjacent the latter and constituting an integral part of the same and said stem. The retainer and discriminator is so arranged that it returns condensate to the boiler during the steam cleansing process and thus in this respect functions somewhat like a filter device, since it readily passes steam. The return of the water to the boiler conserves the supply therein and further results in less transfer of water to the pipe and pipe bowl. The amount of hot water which eventually collects in the pipe bowl is at suitable intervals forced back by a sudden, powerful rush action through the pipe stem into the boiler, this bein accomplished by the simple act of removing the boiler from the source of heat and preferably holding it down while gently shaking it. This creates the powerful, sudden vacuum or suction mentioned above.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like compo nents throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 isa perspective view of the present improved pipe-cleansing device as provided by the invention attached to a smoking pipe and being supported over a burner to effect its operation.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pipe cleansing device per se.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the pipe cleansing de- VlCB.

As shown, the improved pipe cleansing device of the present invention comprises essentially a one-piece glass boiler assemblage indicated generally by the numeral 10 and a resilient coupling or connector tube 12, the latter being preferably telescopically joined to a steam and water pipe of the boiler assemblage 10 and constituting a means by which the stem and bit portion 14 of a smoking pipe may be connected to the boiler assemblage ill for communication therewith.

In the use of the cleansing device the boiler assemblage 10 is held over a source of heat, that shown in FIG. 1 comprising a flame 17 as produced by a burner 18. However, any other suitable type of heating device may be utilized, including heating elements of electric stove, ranges, etc. In supporting the boiler assemblage 10 over the flame or other heating device, the smoking pipe 14- is held in one hand as indicated in FIG. 1, and preferably the stem 14 of the smoking pipe is slanted downward whereby the bit end and the boiler assemblage it! are at a lower level, compared with the level of the bowl 16 of the smoking pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the boiler assemblage 10 comprises a spherical heat-resistance glass vessel 22 which is adapted to withstand high temperatures for the purpose of boiling the liquid contents thereof. Preferably the liquid which is placed in the vessel 22 to be boiled is plain water, although other or special solvent solutions may be employed if desired. Referring to FIG. 1, the boiler 22 is shown as filled approximately to the half-way mark with the liquid cleansing medium, whether it be water or another solution.

Integral with the vessel or boiler 22 is a heat-resistant glass stem 24, said stem constituting both an inlet and an outlet for the boiler. The flexible or resilient coupling means 12 may be constituted of any suitable material; for example, ,it may be of either rubber, plastic or rubberlike or plastic-like substance. It is preferred at present, however, to use a heat-resistant rubber formulation for the tube 12, said tube having a diameter such that it may be readily forced over the bit end 28 of the pipe stem 14 to be securely held thereby as illustrated in FIG. 1 Also, the coup-ling tube 12 may be forced over the outer or remote end of the glass stem 2 to be securely held there on, and for this purpose the said end of the stem 24 .is provided with a lip 30 which is arranged to effect a secure retention of the coupling tube thereon, and provides for a smooth flow of liquid into and out of the boiler.

In accordance with the present invention, the heatresistant glass stem 24 includes a novel steam-water discriminator and water-retention means located closely adjacent the boiler 22 so as to be heated simultaneously therewith, the said means efiecting a return of initial condensate to the boiler while at the same time readily passing steam from the boiler to the flexible coupling tube 12 during the heating of the boiler, and temporarily preventing return of water and air to the boiler after removal of heat therefrom whereby there is elfected a more sudden and powerful suction through the smoking pipe to effectively clean the same. As illustrated in the figures and provided herein, the steam-water discriminator and water-retention means comprises an upwardly offset portion 34 of the glass stem, said upwardly ofiset portion being preferably substantially U-shaped as shown. It is also preferred to dispose the U-shaped discriminator device 34 substantially midway between the outer and inner ends of the glass stem 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In conjunction with the novel discriminator and retention device 34 it is preferred to have the integral glass stem 24 extend radially from the globe-shaped boiler 22 as shown, and further preferred to have the upwardly offset portion 34- of the stem extend laterally from the latter an amount which is substantially equal to or commensurate with the radius of the boiler.

By the above organization there is thus provided the advantageous result that the passage of heated water or liquid from the boiler 22 into the smoking pipe stem 14 and bowl 16 is controlled and minimized to the greatest possible extent. This advantageous result is obtained while at the same time the passage of steam into the smoking pipe is not hindered at all, which is in sharp contrast to other types of discriminator or water-check devices such as filters and the like wherein hindrance to the passage of steam occurs. Also, after the boiler is removed from the heat and held downward, the temporary collection of water in the bends of the portion 34 acts as a plug which momentarily halts the return of air into the boiler. As the vacuum in the boiler builds up it now suddenly dislodges the said retained water, depositing the same and relatively cool air into the boiler whereby condensation therein is accelerated. The above action occurs suddenly and forcibly, causing an effective cleaning action which removes nicotine, gum, grit, etc. from the pipe bowl and stem.

Considering now the complete operation of the improved pipe cleansing device, this is well illustrated in FIG. 1. The boiler 22 is nearly half filled with water to allow a large accumulation of steam in the upper part of the boiler, and the cleansing device is then attached to the bit of the stem of the smoking pipe. The boiler is held over a source of heat, with the coupling tube 12 and pipe stem 14 disposed at an angle to the horizontal, as indicated. When the water in the boiler 22 begins to boil, the steam will travel out through the glass stem 24 having the upward offset 34-. At the beginning of such action, the steam coming in contact with the stem 24 and offset portion 34 can condense to a slight extent. However, by locating the upward offset 34 closely adjacent the boiler 22 and by having such offset and the joining stem portion 24 of heat-resistant glass, these parts will be heated from the source of heat being used for the boiler, whereby condensation of steam close to the boiler will be held to a minimum. At the same time, whatever condensation does occur will run back into the boiler instead of being forced through the coupling tube 12 and into the smoking pipe.

Further, the ebullition or agitation experienced by the water in the boiler 22, which may tend to throw droplets of water out through the glass stem 24, will encounter the upward offset portion 34 and be halted thereby. Such droplets of water will then be quickly returned by gravity to the boiler 22 instead of being propelled through the coupling tube 12 into the smoking pipe. Accordingly, a minimum amount of water is deposited in the smoking pipe from the boiler 22, and most of the fluid which is forced through the smoking pipe from the boiler 22 will be in the form of steam, which means that after the cleansing process is completed the upper part of the bowl remains comparatively dry and permits the smoker to make use of the pipe immediately after cleaning. The action of the upward oifset portion 34, which is disposed closely adjacent the boiler 22, is thus also largely in the nature of a vertical mechanical barrier which is disposed closely adjacent the boiling water in the boiler and which halts particles of hot water thrown off from the main body. While the return-of-condensate action initially described above is also present, it is essentially not the action which prevents the bubbling water from the boiler 22 from being splashed through the stem 24 and the coupling tube 12. For this purpose the upward ottset 34 functions as a splash pan or element, since it is closely juxtaposed to the boiler 22, blocking water droplets which are driven from the body of the boiling water. The upper offset portion 34 may be thought of as a battle which is arranged to turn back Water particles driven off from the spluttering contents of the boiler.

During the initial boiling of the water, steam will issue from the pipe bowl 16. As the boiling is continued, steam which is forced through the smoking pipe will accumulate as a condensate, and this will eventually tend to fill the bottom of the bowl 16. At this stage of the cleansing process the boiler 22 is removed from the heat, and the device is held with the boiler lowermost. While in this position, the device is preferably carefully shaken, whereby there is hastened the formation of a vacuum in the boiler 22, as occasioned by the condensing of the steam and water vapor therein. The shaking of the boiler 22 will also tend to dislodge any water existing in the bends of the stem 24 whereby such dislodged water and adjoining air will be brought into the boiler. The air from the bends, being cooler, will increase the condensation. This results in a sudden and stronger vacuum being produced, as previously described. In consequence, the strong, sudden suction will be applied now through the coupling tube 12 to the pipe stem 14, sucking all of the water from the smoking pipe with a rush back into the boiler 22, such water carrying with it dissolved nicotine, particles of gum, carbon, etc.

The above cleansing process is repeated at number of times, whereby those parts of the pipe where the nicotine has accumulated will be thoroughly cleansed. This will be indicated by the water in the boiler turning a dark brown.

It will now be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved steam-generating type pipe cleanser which is eifective in thoroughly cleansing a smoking pipe by steam, while at the same time there is reduced to the maximum extent the amount of water which is transferred as a liquid from the boiler of the device of the smoking pipe. The simple steam-water discriminator and baflle arrangement in the form of the upwardly oiiset portion of the heat-resistant glass stem closely juxtaposed to the boiler provides for the improved result obtained. Not only is the construction effective and efiicient in its operation, but it is characterized by a high degree of simplicity whereby the cost of fabrication is held to a minimum. The present construction is an improvement over water filtering devices or the like, which might malfunction and require replacement after an interval of use.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A smoking-pipe cleansing device comprising, in combination:

(a) a heat-resistant glass vessel of a size commensurate with that of a pipe bowl and adapted to hold water and to constitute a boiler, said vessel being arranged for disposition over a source of heat to eifect boiling of Water, said vessel having (11) a heat-resistant glass stem integral with the boiler and constituting an inlet and an outlet for the same, said boiler being entirely closed except for the glass stem and the latter being adapted to serve as a support to hold the boiler over the heat source,

(0) a flexible coupling tube connected to the glass stem and adapted at one end to he slipped over the bit of a smoking pipe stem to connect the said stems together in communication with each other, and

(d) a rigid steam-water discriminator and water-retention means comprising an integral portion of the glass stem having a fixed configuration, said means being disposed closely adjacent and above the level of the center of the boiler to be heated simultaneously therewith by the said source of heat and by conduction from the boiler, said means etfecting a return of condensate to the boiler while at the same time passing steam to the flexible coupling tube during heating of the boiler, and temporarily halting entrance of air into the boiler after heat has been removed therefrom, the ensuing build-up of vacuum in the boiler suddenly sucking water and air from said means into the boiler with a rush,

(e) said discriminator and retention means comprising an upwardly offset substantially U-shaped portion of the glass stem.

2. A pipe cleansing device as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the U-shaped portion of the glass stem is disposed midway between the ends of the stem.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,790,719 2/31 Pool 131-194 2,485,780 10/49 Schecter 131-244 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,394 1897 Great Britain. 284,165 1/28 Great Britain.

ABRAHAM G. STONE, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH S. REICH, Examiner. 

1. A SMOKING-PIPE CLEANSING DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A HEAT-RESISTANT GLASS VESSEL OF A SIZE COMMENSURATE WITH THAT OF A PIPE BOWL AND ADAPTED TO HOLD WATER AND TO CONSTITUTE A BOILER, SAID VESSEL BEING ARRANGED FOR DISPOSITION OVER A SOURCE OF HEAT TO EFFECT BOILING OF WATER, SAID VESSEL HAVING (B) A HEAT-RESISTANT GLASS STEM INTEGRAL WITH THE BOILER AND CONSTITUTING AN INLET AND AN OUTLET FOR THE SAME, SAID BOILER BEING ENTIRELY CLOSED EXCEPT FOR THE GLASS STEM AND THE LATTER BEING ADAPTED TO SERVE AS A SUPPORT TO HOLD THE BOILER OVER THE HEAT SOURCE, (C) A FLEXIBLE COUPLING TUBE CONNECTED TO THE GLASS STEM AND ADAPTED AT ONE END TO BE SLIPPED OVER THE BIT OF A SMOKING PIPE STEM TO CONNECT THE SAID STEMS TOGETHER IN COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER, AND (D) A RIGID STEAM-WATER DISCRIMINATOR AND WATER-RETENTION MEANS COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL PORTION OF THE GLASS STEM HAVING A FIXED CONFIGURATION, SAID MEANS BEING DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT AND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE CENTER OF THE BROILER TO BE HEATED SIMULTA- 